Public Spaces Public Life – A new face for Wollongong

The new Public Spaces Public Life strategy has launched for public exhibition, which includes an unveiling of a draft report, A City for People, Wollongong Public Spaces Public Life 2015. This draft is currently viewable is and undergoing a period of community input until March 16th, 2016.

Landscape architect McGregor Coxall has developed the ‘Public Spaces Public Life’ strategy in collaboration with Gehl Architects and the Wollongong City Council. McGregor Coxall provided the urban design expertise necessary in mapping a future for public planning of a city. The study has been underpinned by a sense of place making and incremental urbanism.

The study identifies six catalyst sites throughout the Wollongong area that could potentially facilitate urban renewal. The report proposes a series of “quick wins” which, in the short term, will promote a sense of improved activation and connectivity across the central business district through renewed signage, pop up coffee shops, temporary green spaces, street art, food vans and more outdoor markets. In a long-term context, the project will guide future development along the railway entrance, western Crown Street, the mall, MacCabe Park, the arts precinct and Wollongong foreshore.

“We’re excited to see how the study is received by the local community,” says Mike Cowdy, head of urban design at Wollongong City Council “Their feedback will prove invaluable in helping the council refine the framework prior to commencement of the implementation phase of the project”